Variety of Geranium named `Global Light Lilac`

ABSTRACT

The cultivar is characterized by its medium green foliage and pale orchid color bloom having a small deep purple eye near the center. Its relatively strong growth habit, quick rooting time and continuous, relatively large flowering provide for superb cuttings and also for quick recovery following wet weather conditions. The blooms exhibit good post-harvest quality and the cascading nature of the cultivar makes it suitable for a trailing finish product.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPelargonium×peltatum known by the varietal name Global Light Lilac(Oglevee No. 3182, Bodger No. 3GM 12-2). The new variety was discoveredin a selective breeding program by David Lemon at Bodger Seeds, Ltd.,Lompoc, Calif. The new variety is a selection from the crossing ofNicole (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,358) which is characterized by a candypink flower with Iris Bader (Bodger No. 1 GM 320 unpatented) which has alarge magenta-rose colored semi-doubled flower having darker marking asdistinguished from the claimed cultivar which has a pale orchid colorbloom having a deep purple eye.

The new cultivar was first asexually reproduced by cuttings at OgleveeLtd., Connellsville, Pa., and has been repeatedly asexually reproducedby cuttings at Oglevee Ltd. in Connellsville, Pa. It has been found toretain its distinctive characteristics through successive propagations.

The new cultivar, when grown in a glass greenhouse in Connellsville,Pa., using full light, 60° Fahrenheit night temperature, 68° Fahrenheitday temperature, 72° Fahrenheit vent temperature and grown in a soillessmedia of constant fertilizer 200-250 parts per million of nitrogen andpotassium has a response time of six weeks from the rooted cutting to aflowering plant in a 10.0 cm pot.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing illustrates the new cultivar, the color beingas nearly true as possible with color illustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth characteristics of the newcultivar. The data which defines each characteristic was collected fromasexual reproductions carried out by Oglevee Ltd. in Connellsville, Pa.The plant histories were taken on rooted cuttings believed to have beenpotted on approximately Feb. 1, 1996 and flowering on approximately Mar.14, 1996 under full light and greenhouse, and colorings were takenindoors under 200-220 foot candles of fluorescent cool white light usingThe R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

The Plant

Classification:

Botanical.--Pelargonium×peltatum.

Commercial.--Ivy Geranium Global Light Lilac.

Form: Cascading mound.

Height.--18.0-24.0 cm from media surface.

Growth.--Upright mound with cascading side growth, free and earlyflowering; free branching.

Strength.--Does not need artificial support while allowing outerbranches to cascade.

Foliage: Stalked leaf attachment; zone present.

Leaves:

Size.--5.0-7.5 cm across.

Shape.--Reniform; cordate base.

Margin.--Pedately lobed.

Texture.--Smooth; slightly reflective.

Color.--Top: Green group 137B. Bottom: Yellow-green group 146C. Zone:Greyed-purple group 184A.

Ribs and veins.--Palmate venation: Color: Yellow-green group 146C.

Petioles:

Length.--5.0-7.0 cm.

Color.--Yellow-green group 146C.

Stem:

Color.--Yellow-green group 146C.

Internodes.--3.0-5.5 cm in length.

The Bud (Umbel)

Shape: Elliptical cluster.

Size: 2.0-2.5 cm across.

Inflorescence

Blooming habit: Continuous, free and early.

Borne: Florets on pedicel; pedicel on peduncle; umbel 6-9 cm abovefoliage.

Closed florets:

Bud size.--1.0-1.5 cm in length; 5 mm in width.

Size:

Fully open bloom.--9.0-11.0 cm across.

Open florets:

Form.--Flat to slightly cupped.

Color.--Top: Purple group 77D with veining of red-purple group 74A.Bottom: Purple group 75C. Eye: Red-purple group 74A eye creates theappearance of a slight blotch near the middle.

Petals.--21-25 in number; separate, not united; margin entire.

Size.--6.0-7.0 cm across; about 12 florets appearing per umbel.

Texture and appearance.--Flowers are pale orchid with a deep purple eyeabove medium green foliage.

Petaloids:

Quantity.--4-6.

Shape.--Twisted.

Color.--Top: Purple group 77 D. Bottom: Purple group 75C.

Pedicel:

Length.--2.5-3.5 cm.

Color.--Yellow-green group 146C at bottom; Yellow-green group 147A attop.

Peduncle:

Length.--16-17 cm.

Color.--Yellow-green group 146C.

Persistence:

Disease resistance.--Not known.

Lasting quality.--Unknown.

Reproductive Organs

Stamens:

Anthers.--Length: 1.0-1.3 cm.

Filaments.--Length: 1.0-1.3 cm. Color: White at base; orchid at tip.

Pollen.--Light to dark golden brown.

Pistils:

Number.--One.

Length.--5-6 mm.

Stigma.--Color: Red purple.

Style.--Length: 1-2 mm; 5 parted.

Ovaries:

Color.--Green, pubescent, superior.

Length.--4-5 mm.

Fruit: None.

General Characteristics

Global Light Lilac is an improvement over the current variety Yvette(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,721) which has a light purple flower with ablotch of maroon near the center. Global Light Lilac exhibits a similarcolor but has relatively larger florets, improved cutting production androoting, is less sensitive to soluble salts and provides a well roundedtrailing finish product.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Geranium plant, substantiallyas shown and described.